Oy.

Reuters:

Judge presses $54 million suit for lost pants
By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A judge in Washington pressed a $54 million lawsuit Tuesday against a dry cleaning shop which he said violated consumer-protection laws when it lost his pants.

Roy L. Pearson, an administrative judge for the District of Columbia, told a local court that Custom Cleaners should pay the sum because a “satisfaction guaranteed” sign deceived consumers who, like him, were dissatisfied with their experience.

“You will search the records of the District of Columbia courts in vain for a case of more egregious or willful misconduct,” Pearson told D.C. Judge Judith Bartnoff.

The lawyer for the Korean immigrants who run the dry cleaner said Pearson was looking for a way to resolve his financial difficulties after a divorce.

“It’s simply a frivolous lawsuit brought by an unhappy customer with a bone to pick,” attorney Chris Manning said.

Pearson filed suit after the cleaners lost his pants in 2005. Jin Chung, Soo Chung and Ki Chung said they located the pants a few days later, but Pearson said they were not his.

Pearson counted 12 separate violations of a consumer-protection law over 1,200 days, multiplied by the three defendants. At $1,500 per day, that is $65 million.

He also seeks $15,000 to rent a car to take his clothes to another cleaner for the next 10 years, among other charges.

He has rejected several settlement offers.

More…

Not only that, part of Pearson’s request for damages includes $500,000 for emotional suffering.

This isn’t the first frivolous case Pearson has brought: the Virginia Court of Appeals, reviewing his divorce proceedings 2005, upheld findings that he created “unnecessary litigation” and was responsible for “excessive driving up” of legal costs.

His continuing as a judge is currently being considered by a disciplinary panel.

Published by Palau

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, washed the t-shirt 23 times, threw the t-shirt in the ragbag, now I'm polishing furniture with it.

2 Comments

  • Martin Wisse

    June 14, 2007 at 11:36 am

    Would it surprise you awfully if you knew this judge was in favour of tort reform?

  • Palau

    June 14, 2007 at 12:14 pm

    Short answer, no.

    Long answer, wahahahaha.